Earth's Greatest Magus

The dwarf-like grand magus crumpled to the ground, his body trembling violently as emerald and black energy pulsed through the deep gashes left by Emery’s blade claws. Blood seeped from his wounds, pooling beneath him, and his face turned pale as cosmic energy bled from his core.

“Urrghh… You… damn beast…” he croaked, his voice trembling with both fury and fear.

Emery stepped closer, his eyes glowing faintly in the dim light as he observed the fallen grand magus with clinical fascination. He flexed his claws, now slick with blood and faint traces of a sickly green venom that sizzled faintly against the ground.

He crouched slightly, his voice calm yet carrying an edge of dark amusement. “This is more effective than I thought… Weakening the body and severely disrupting regeneration.”

This poison was no ordinary venom; it was a creation born of Emery’s apothecary skill and his newfound treasure of rare materials. Enhanced by his affinity with both nature and Khaos energy. A toxin designed specifically to cripple even the most resilient of cosmic bodies.

The dwarf magus’s eyes flickered with fear as Emery’s calm, predatory gaze met his. The realization sank in—he was at this monster’s mercy.

“Please… I was just hired… Don’t kill me…” the dwarf begged, his voice cracking as desperation took over.

Before Emery could respond, a bellow of rage erupted from across the battlefield.

“YOU BASTARD!!”

Vernon, the patriarch of Amber Fell, his massive form wreathed in roaring flames, charged forward like a falling meteor. His every step left molten footprints on the stone ground, and his fists blazed with cosmic fire, ready to turn Emery into ashes.

From above, the elderly grand magus Soltz moved to intercept Vernon, but the spirit master Yurek unleashed a concentrated soul attack that locked Soltz in place momentarily.

Vernon pressed on, his fury unyielding, his form a roaring inferno as he closed the distance. But he was too late; he could do nothing but watch helplessly as Emery ruthlessly delivered another strike to the fallen dwarf Grand Magus, completely incapacitating him.

When the patriarch finally closed in on him, Emery was calm and calculated; having no intention of facing the raging patriarch head-on, he casually raised a hand, and emerald energy burst forth.

Elysian Roots!

From the ground erupted a massive wall of thick, thorn-covered vines glowing with nature energy. The fiery patriarch collided with the roots, and the explosion of flames reduced them to ash in seconds. But those few moments had been enough. Emery had already withdrawn a safe distance, his posture composed, his expression neutral.

“Don’t run away, you coward!” Vernon roared, frustration dripping from every syllable.

But Emery wasn’t running because he was afraid, nor because he was injured. No—his sharp divine sense had picked up a new presence approaching the battlefield, and it was one that promised to shift the tides of battle.

A moment later, a voice thundered across the yard, carrying with it an aura of raw authority.

“VERNON!! YOU DARE TO COME BACK HERE?!”

The oppressive heat of Vernon’s flames was suddenly cut by a chilling breeze. The figure of the Azure Cloud Patriarch descended onto the battlefield like a storm-given form. His azure robes flowed around him, glowing faintly with celestial energy, and his once frail body now radiated strength and vitality. His every breath seemed to invigorate the air itself.

Sweat dripped from his brow, evidence of the struggle he had endured to purge the poison from his body. But now, he stood tall and unyielding, his sword unsheathed and humming with razor-sharp wind energy.

The sheer force of their clash shattered the ground beneath them, sending shockwaves rippling outward. Both figures were thrown back several meters, skidding across the battlefield before regaining their stances.

They were evenly matched.

“How?!” Vernon’s voice was a mix of rage and disbelief. “How did you recover so quickly?!”

The Azure Cloud Patriarch’s gaze sharpened. “So it’s true… You knew about the poison. Tell me, Vernon, how did you force Master Beldoni to do this?”

“Haha… Force?” Vernon laughed bitterly. “You fools! No one forced anyone!”

Despite his bold words, Vernon’s posture betrayed his unease. He glanced toward Yurek, hoping his spirit master ally could assist him. But the sight that met him drained the blood from his face—Soltz had successfully restrained Yurek, locking the spirit master in a bind.

Vernon was now alone.

Realizing he was surrounded, Vernon’s mind raced. His eyes locked onto the Azure Cloud Patriarch.

“Old man!” he barked. “This is between you and me. Let’s settle this—one on one!”

Soltz chuckled darkly from the side. “How shameless… Only now do you ask for a duel after your lackey has fallen.”

But the Azure Cloud Patriarch stepped forward, his expression solemn yet resolute as he accepted the challenge.

The two patriarchs squared off once again, their energies rising to a crescendo. Emery, meanwhile, stepped back, folding his arms as he observed the battle with keen interest. This was a clash of titans, and he had no intention of interfering.

Wind and fire collided in a dazzling storm of destruction. Vernon’s fists burned like dying stars, while the Azure Cloud Patriarch’s sword danced with the sharp edge of the tempest. They struck, retreated, and struck again, each blow shaking the very earth beneath them.

For an hour, the duel raged. Both patriarchs poured every ounce of their strength, skill, and experience into the battle. But ultimately, it was Vernon who faltered.

The Azure Cloud Patriarch’s sword found an opening, slicing through Vernon’s flaming defense and striking his chest. The fiery glow dimmed, and Vernon fell to one knee, clutching his wound as blood spilled down his robes.

It was over.

The Azure Cloud Patriarch stepped closer, his sword pointed at Vernon’s throat.

“You lose Vernon!! Now you are going to reveal to me everything you know.”

Defeated and broken, Vernon knelt in silence as the weight of his failure pressed down on him.